PHOTOS: Food Network Star 2014 Contestants

Donna Sonkin Shaw is a holistic health coach as well as a cook, specializing in healthy comfort food. Her focus is nutrition, but strives to make all her creations savory and delicious, as reported in her Food Network bio. Shaw's website gives some further background on her struggles with weight: She grew up a chubby girl on long island and learned to cook from her first teacher and mentor – her beloved grandmother – at 9 years old. When Donna discovered boys at around age 12 she decided she wanted to lose weight, which lead to 7 years at fat camp and a tumultuous relationship with food. As a result of having overcome these early challenges, one of her greatest joys is lecturing to high school students about empowerment, body image and self-love. (Facebook)